Newark Bishop attacked at Basilica Mass

[Martinius]

Auxiliary Catholic bishop punched in the face during mass in New Jersey

Newark Auxiliary Bishop Manuel Cruz was attacked and injured by a man at a special Mass on Saturday honoring Roberto Clemente. The Mayor of Newark, other officials, and sheriff's deputies were in attendance, and the deputies arrested the man.

We don't know the reason for the attack, but on Friday Cardinal Tobin issued and posted a statement in response to Trump's actions on immigration and refugees, link below.

Statement of Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., On Wednesday’s Executive Actions on Immigration | Archdiocese of Newark

On another thread I asked if we will see and increase in attacks on churches, clergy, and others due to Trump's action and rhetoric. More and more bishops are publicly opposing Trump's actions, and my concern grows.

 

[Martinius]

My own parish added security, both inside our church and outside, about a month ago. The Newark basilica had sheriff's deputies inside, but the man didn't care. Is Trump's dangerous rhetoric emboldening the wackos?

 

[Landon Caeli]

My own parish added security, both inside our church and outside, about a month ago. The Newark basilica had sheriff's deputies inside, but the man didn't care. Is Trump's dangerous rhetoric emboldening the wackos?

I'm a little confused on this, but why are churches beefing up security, and how is Trump involved?

 

[Radrook]

My own parish added security, both inside our church and outside, about a month ago. The Newark basilica had sheriff's deputies inside, but the man didn't care. Is Trump's dangerous rhetoric emboldening the wackos?

Wacko's will wack whether emboldened or not but their wacking can be attracted by such policies.

 

[Landon Caeli]

Wacko's will wack whether emboldened or not but their wacking can be attracted by such policies.

I don't get it.

 

[Tull]

A Dog pooped in my yard.....im holding Trump responsable

 

[Martinius]

A Dog pooped in my yard.....im holding Trump responsable

Brilliant, just absolutely brilliant. Do you have any other deep thoughts to share?

No one is saying that Trump is responsible. Actually, Cardinal Tobin may be most directly responsible. We just don't know the reason for the attack. but it is chilling. Read the links. Thanks.

 

[Martinius]

I'm a little confused on this, but why are churches beefing up security, and how is Trump involved?

Churches are increasing security because of recent attacks and vandalism, aimed at churches. It has been in the (real) news. My understanding for our Catholic diocese is that the Bishop instructed all parishes to implement more security. This could mean law enforcement on site during Masses, private security, or even volunteers patrolling the buildings and watching the doors. We now have on-duty law enforcement outside the church around Mass times, and volunteers walking around the building.

In the Newark attack, many people in the pews ducked and covered, thinking that this guy had a weapon and could start firing away. luckily, he didn't and the deputies got to him quickly.

 

[Fantine]

What's sad is that the money spent protecting churchgoers from domestic terrorists could be used to support compassionate aid to refugees.

 

[Martinius]

What's sad is that the money spent protecting churchgoers from domestic terrorists could be used to support compassionate aid to refugees.

True, but people who care (most Catholics) will continue to do what is right. In fact, given the PR Trump is giving to this, I expect donations and the numbers of those helping will increase.

 

[MoonlessNight]

Brilliant, just absolutely brilliant. Do you have any other deep thoughts to share?

No one is saying that Trump is responsible. Actually, Cardinal Tobin may be most directly responsible. We just don't know the reason for the attack. but it is chilling. Read the links. Thanks.

Nobody knows the reason for the attack.

But don't let that stop you from questioning whether Trump's rhetoric is responsible for it.

Though if you're going to ask the question, the least you could do is at least try to defend it when someone calls you on it.

 

[Radrook]

I don't get it.

Maybe when you get wacked by a wacko you will.

BTW
I grew up in Newark NJ and never heard of that happening once. But those wee different times I guess and the clergy got more respect during those days. Today it seems anyone is fair game for the knockout game.

 

[Radrook]

What's sad is that the money spent protecting churchgoers from domestic terrorists could be used to support compassionate aid to refugees.

Say! I like that picture of the SL hugging that fellow. Pulls at the strangs of ma harp!

 

[Radrook]

Auxiliary Catholic bishop punched in the face during mass in New Jersey

Newark Auxiliary Bishop Manuel Cruz was attacked and injured by a man at a special Mass on Saturday honoring Roberto Clemente. The Mayor of Newark, other officials, and sheriff's deputies were in attendance, and the deputies arrested the man.

We don't know the reason for the attack, but on Friday Cardinal Tobin issued and posted a statement in response to Trump's actions on immigration and refugees, link below.

Statement of Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., On Wednesday’s Executive Actions on Immigration | Archdiocese of Newark

On another thread I asked if we will see and increase in attacks on churches, clergy, and others due to Trump's action and rhetoric. More and more bishops are publicly opposing Trump's actions, and my concern grows.

I imagine he waited until he was being offered the sacraments to floor the Bishop? There is a certain risk involved in that. Let's people get too close.

 

[Armoured]

Is Trump's dangerous rhetoric emboldening the wackos?

Hard to avoid that conclusion.

‘Pizzagate’ gunman for days tried to recruit friends to join raid, affidavit says

 

[Radrook]

A Dog pooped in my yard.....im holding Trump responsable

Was the dog Republican or Democrat? Makes a diff, you know?

 

[Radrook]

Nobody knows the reason for the attack.

But don't let that stop you from questioning whether Trump's rhetoric is responsible for it.

Though if you're going to ask the question, the least you could do is at least try to defend it when someone calls you on it.

If the nation's cow's udders dry up,
Trump bees doin dat twos.
Why when you becomes da prez
Days nuffin you caint doos!

 

[Radrook]

I get reported for standing up for the ten commandments here in these forums, but I feel our first commandment Love God above all else. It was "God" who brought us out of Egypt, says it all. My faith in the ten commandments can't be more real. We were put in the lion's pits and God saved us. I feel God can fix or replace Trump and his henchmen. My problem which is probably a big problem for most Christians is how to love someone attacking God and the church for our President?
As for Trump's rhetoric;
Matthew 12
33 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
35 The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.…

Well, one thing to keep under consideration is that those who voted for him heard his rhetoric and voted for him anyway and most were claiming to be Christian when they did so. So if indeed his rhetoric was bad fruit from a bad tree, as you are pointing out, they sure as heck either didn't care or else mistook it as good fruit from a good tree.

About the person attacking the Bishop, we are told to love the person while hating the sin. It is called agape love or love based on principle. Not easy since rage against the person himself is the first tendency. Especially when we are personally affected by the sin such as the bishop himself is.

Jude 23
Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. (NLT)

Agape - Wikipedia

 

[Fantine]

I can't imagine that a man wearing a white robe over a red suit in Church must not have stood out so that some ushers might have tried to keep an eye on him.

 

[Martinius]

Nobody knows the reason for the attack.

But don't let that stop you from questioning whether Trump's rhetoric is responsible for it.

The question is legit due to the letter by Tobin the day before and several other reasons (Hispanic bishop?). I didn't say what made the man do this. I just noted the coincidence and wondered if it did. We will likely soon find out.

I imagine he waited until he was being offered the sacraments to floor the Bishop? There is a certain risk involved in that. Let's people get too close.

No, he did it during the opening prayers.

I can't imagine that a man wearing a white robe over a red suit in Church must not have stood out so that some ushers might have tried to keep an eye on him.

From the story and others I read, it appears the man parked his car right in front of the church doors, so he probably showed up after others were inside, and did not sit in a pew. He was dressed a little strangely, and yes, it is a little odd that no one tried to detain him before he got to the altar. Maybe people thought it was part of the celebration, or it happened too quickly. Again, we will learn more soon.